New Obsession

Happy Thursday everyone!  I'm sure some of you are recovering from celebrating yesterday in your own special way, and I say...wait...uhh...hmmm...what was I saying?

Nevermind, I guess stoner jokes don't translate very well to print.

Anyway, my point is that I have been haunting the renovation journal of Erin Loechner, founder and writer for Design for Mankind, and all around seemingly adorable person, on HGTV's blog, Design Happens.  She and her husband packed up and moved from busy LA to the quiet midwest where they found a rundown ranch-style home and they are completely overhauling it, in the most amazing way.  You have to check it out.

You just can't get an idea from posting these pictures.  Erin has put up amazing videos (must watch this one) and great decor inspiration boards and so many other great tidbits to know before jumping into renovation.  Seriously, make a big pot of coffee and go spend hours drooling over the renovation progress.  It's so inspiring.

(Images via Design Happens)

Ethan Robert

So, all of my baby hysteria as of late has paid off--I have a brand new nephew!

After 30-some-odd hours of labor, my sister-in-law delivered this beautiful boy.  He is completely perfect.  I know I'm a little biased but seriously, look at that!

So, now that the impending delivery of nephew is good and done, maybe there will be less of a baby extravaganza on this blog for a little while?

Yeah right, who am I kidding.

XOXO
--MEL

Wowza

Anthropologie, you're doing it again.  This whole "sale section" is really putting a strain on my savings account.  Not that I actually buy anything from you, but I dream about buying things from you and then I just feel a little bit poorer and that's enough to make me feel guilty.  I feel like I'm cheating on my bank account just by flirting with you a little bit.

But I guess if we just keep it between you and I, no one really needs to know...That's okay, right?

Not everyone needs to know about my obsession with finding the perfect t-shirt and how when I look at you and find this, you make it so hard.

Aviatrix Tee

And like I really need another beautiful pot to encase yet another succulent or pretty spring bulb.

Unfolding Petals Herb Pot

And I know I have absolutely nothing on my agenda to wear this dress to, but I so badly want to pair it with some big gold earrings and espadrilles, I can barely stand it.

Extended Shirt Dress

Well, looky here, if it isn't the perfect leather satchel, the exact kind that I've been searching all over for since before Christmas.  Way to put it in my face now!

Elegant Angles Bag

That's it, I can't stand it any longer.  I'm buying these knobs for a wooden cabinet in my living room that needs some new jewelry.

Hard Candy Knob

Whew.  That was an intense love affair.

Anthropologie, I just don't know how to quit you.

Dining Room

Here's where my head is at currently concerning a dining space.  I had a little more space to show some of our current artwork that would definitely occupy a blank wall.  In my previous living room post, there just wasn't enough room on my design board to include all of the art and accessories that we currently have displayed and will definitely remain a part of any of our rooms to come.

Whaddya think?

1.  Stornas dining table, Ikea
2.  Foto pendant lamps, Ikea
3.  Black director's chair, Pier 1 Imports
4.  Side by Side FLOR tiles
5.  Ikea PS Cabinet
6.  (Clockwise from top left) Still Life on a Pedestal Table, Pablo Picasso; Butterflies and Poppies, Vincent Van Gogh; Cumbres Pass #4, Official Art of Music From Angel Fire, 2006, Alyce Frank; Calla Lilly Turned Away, Georgia O'Keefe

Hickory Floors, same as Living Room design post

Sunny Monday!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Mine was filled with work and play, and lots and lots of sun.

Needless to say, I'm feelin' good.

Stay tuned for another room design coming up later.  I'm really hooked on this dreamin'.

XOXO
--MEL

House dreamin'

So, I've had a bit of bloggers-block recently.  I wasn't really finding a lot of the inspiration I usually do.  I was feeling a bit less connected than most days.

Then it hit me.  I knew what I needed to do to get me out of it:

PLAN MY NEXT LIVING ROOM.

1.  Manstad sofa, Ikea
2.  Cooper lamp, Napa Home
3.  Peekaboo clear nesting tables, CB2
4.  Golden Peaks rug, Anthropologie
5.  Queen Ann mirror, Macy's (Mine looks exactly like this one, but is actually a thrift store find.  Score!)
6.  Garrison table, Eric Manigian
7.  Chill media console, CB2
8.  Charles Pollock chair, Garage Online; Otomi textile, ebay
9.  Pale Smoke #1584, Benjamin Moore
10. Hickory Floors, via Design Happens, from 360 Flooring

Out of Bed, Sleepyhead

Well, it's Monday and I've been sick.  All of the end of last week.  All weekend long.  And now I'm recovering from being sick.  Who knew you had to factor in the "feeling-better-from-feeling-crappy" time into your sick time?  Because I'm still factoring.

A real bummer too because it's beautiful outside, it's my day off, and I have tons of stuff I want to do.  Including give you, my dear internet cosmos, a real post on this thing.  But until then I'm gonna take it slow, start (and probably put down after a few minutes do to lack of energy) a few projects around the house, and make this.  In fact, you should make this too.  It's so delicious.  Maybe it will give me that extra bit of energy I need to get out of bed and into the world.

XOXO
--MEL

House of Brinson